Historedia
Person

William Walker

Events
6
Episodes
12
Years
1853–1857

Every event in Historedia whose sources name William Walker, with the role they cite and all of that event’s episodes. This is not a biography, and mentions are grouped by name, so two people with the same name can share this page.

Events and episodes

  1. William Walker captures La Paz and declares the Republic of Sonora

    1853–1854

    Role: President of the Republic of Lower California (declared November 3, 1853) and ruler of the Republic of Sonora

    1. November 1853 · La Paz, Baja California Sur, MexicoCapture of La Paz

      Walker's forces captured La Paz, the capital of Baja California, in November 1853; the capture itself is not dated in the evidence.

    2. November 1853 to 1854 · La Paz, Baja California Sur, MexicoImplementation of Louisiana Laws

      Walker implemented Louisiana civil codes in the Republic of Sonora, maintaining slavery legality during 1854.

    3. January 10 to May 8, 1854 · La Paz, Baja California Sur, MexicoLa Paz as Capital

      La Paz served as the capital of the Republic of Sonora from January to May 1854.

  2. William Walker's filibustering retreat to Sonora, 1854

    1854

    Role: Filibuster leader and President of the Republic of Sonora

    1. 1854 · Sonora, MexicoRetreat to Sonora

      Mexican forces compelled William Walker to retreat from his established republic, ending the short-lived federal entity in northern Mexico.

  3. William Walker sails from San Francisco to conquer Nicaragua

    1855

    Role: American journalist and mercenary leader

    1. May 3, 1855 · San FranciscoDeparture from San Francisco

      William Walker departed San Francisco on May 3, 1855, leading a group of mercenaries to intervene in Nicaragua's civil war on behalf of the Democratic Party.

  4. Filibuster War: Battle of Santa Rosa

    1856

    Role: Filibuster leader

    1. March 20, 1856 · Santa Rosa, Costa RicaBattle of Santa Rosa

      Costa Rican forces defeated Walker's advance force on March 20, 1856, in Costa Rica.

  5. William Walker takes control of Nicaragua

    1856

    Role: Filibuster and President of Nicaragua

    1. 20 May 1856 · NicaraguaU.S. Recognition

      President Franklin Pierce recognized Walker's regime as the legitimate government of Nicaragua in May 1856.

    2. 12 July 1856 · NicaraguaInauguration and Americanization

      Walker inaugurated as president in July 1856, launching policies to encourage U.S. emigration and reinstating slavery.

    3. 12 October 1856 · GranadaEncounter in Granada

      Guatemalan Colonel Zavala approached Walker's soldiers in Granada in October 1856.

    4. 14 December 1856 · GranadaBurning of Granada

      Walker's forces burned Granada in December 1856 before escaping a siege by Central American troops.

  6. William Walker overthrown in Nicaragua

    1857

    Role: Overthrown ruler

    1. 1 May 1857 · NicaraguaSurrender to U.S. Navy

      Walker surrendered to U.S. Navy Commander Charles Henry Davis on May 1, 1857, ending his rule in Nicaragua.

    2. 12 June 1857 · ComayaguaXatruch's Triumphant Entrance

      General Florencio Xatruch made a triumphant entrance to Comayagua on June 12, 1857, after Walker's surrender.

Sources

  1. William Walker (filibuster) Wikipedia, revision of 2026-10-03
  2. Republic of Sonora Wikipedia, revision of 2026-10-03
  3. Battle of Santa Rosa Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-13
  4. Nicaragua Wikipedia, revision of 2026-10-06